Programs designed for foreigners

Where to get help?

Contact and information: You should find all the information you need, as a student traveling to study abroad, in the Department of State-Affiliated Educational Advising Centers in your home country. You can find a list of addresses and contact people on the following US government web site: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/advise/asaeacs.htm

Choosing An English Language Program in the United States

There is no financial aid for students in intensive English language programs. Although some programs are less expensive, it is usually best to budget at least $ 1,000 to $1,300 a month for total expenses during English language study. if you begin without any previous English language study, it may take up to 12 months to reach a level sufficient for academic admission or even longer if your native language is very different from English.
English language institutes may be affiliated with a college, university or community college, or they may be independent. Consider choosing a program at a university, college or community college where you plan to enroll, or find an English language center nearby. if you do not have to move, you will have fewer adjustments to make when you begin academic study or training.
It is wise to take the TOEFL test early and to take your score into account when choosing a program for English as a second language. Some institutes require a minimum TOEFL score of more than 200for admission-that is, they do not accept beginners.
Compare programs with respect to cost per hour of instruction, qualifications of instructors, living costs in the area, availability of housing and support services, orientation programs, beginning dates, size and location. Look for programs that permit you to study at more than one level at the same time, since your reading, speaking and writing abilities may be quite different.
For those with TOEFL scores of 152-250, many English language institutes offer support programs to introduce students to techniques of writing research papers, taking notes and participating in class discussions. Other programs are available in English for Special Purposes, such as business English, aviation English or English for computer science.
Virtually all universities in the US offer summer session programs for their visiting students. Usually they offer two summer sessions: one commencing in the beginning of June, the other one beginning in July. The price is calculated per credits taken (usual price per credit is around $500, although there are many exceptions to this price). Summer sessions offer language courses as well as other academic courses such as art and design, social science electives and other courses included in the major curriculum. Credits earned during summer sessions are calculated in your overall credit sum.

A certificate program is a sequence of courses designed to help you expand your professional knowledge, to advance in your career, make a career change or simply get certified in a foreign language. Students entering in the spring, summer, or fall semesters may usually complete the program within one year. Of course there are shorter term programs that allow for certificates within six months. During the fall and spring semesters, courses may be offered in evening and weekend formats to allow students to continue employment while upgrading or changing careers.

These programs offer traditional credit courses and credit-free courses, in non-traditional configurations, at special times, for a wide variety of learners, such as:
Contract Training: courses uniquely tailored to suit a specific group of learners, either on campus or at the work place.
International Programs: university courses or programs developed for unique international relationships with professional and educational bodies.
Professional Development Conferences: credit-free seminars or conferences for professional development, personal interest, or community services purposes.

The Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) examination offered by Cambridge program in the US, Canada and Malta, challenges students who are already at high, intermediate and advanced levels of English. Successful completion demonstrates a high level of English competency for further professional or study purposes. Emphasis is on real-life use in these five areas; reading, writing, English-in-use, listening and speaking. For start dates, contact and other information, visit their web site : http://www.globalvil.com/

Principal exchange programs
Institutions with cooperative and exchange programs and the equivalence of diplomas with foreign universities: your university or the advising center in your country should have a list of national universities and their exchange programs in the US. They will also let you know about all the prerequisites and the details.
The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a membership organization of nearly 220 higher education institutions in the United States and 35 other countries that are committed to international exchange. ISEP serves its member institutions and their students by facilitating affordable university-level exchanges on a reciprocal basis. ISEP is committed to international educational exchange as an integral component of higher education, accessible to all students regardless of social and economic background.
Studying abroad for a semester or a year on an ISEP exchange costs little more than studying and living at home. You pay the normal cost of tuition, room and board to your home institution, creating a place for an incoming student, and take up a place at an institution abroad created by an ISEP participant from that university.
In addition to your normal tuition, room, and board costs, the actual program fee charged by your home institution will include a modest administrative fee and the cost of providing "vacation benefits" to incoming students. (While you are abroad, you will receive vacation benefits as well as housing and meals during vacation periods within the academic year.)

Documents required for exchange : http://www.isep.org/intl_students/intl_multi-docs.html
Their official website: http://www.isep.org